Former L'Ortolan chef Tom Clarke to open Essex restaurant

Tom Clarke, former head chef of L'Ortolan in Reading, is to open a restaurant with his wife Nancy Witte at the end of September in Little Waltham, Essex.

Clarke previously worked at Raymond Blanc's two-Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire and took over as head chef at Michelin-starred French fine dining restaurant L'Ortolan in Reading in 2015.

He left L'Ortolan before the start of the pandemic in early 2020, but has taken some time to open his own restaurant.

The new restaurant, which will be called the Windmill and is located in Chatham Green, is to serve seasonal, locally-produced, modern British food with a European and Asian twist. The menu will also put an emphasis on foraging.

Commenting on the opening, Clarke told The Caterer: "It's obviously a challenge under the circumstances but ultimately it's something that myself and Nancy always strived to do, so we're excited."

Witte, who will oversee front of house, added: "I'm incredibly nervous but so excited as well."

Image Credit: Shannon Lee Robinson